Compact housing and godet for a cosmetic container

ABSTRACT

There is presented a compact housing which is suitable for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic product so as to provide a compact cosmetic container. The housing comprises a removable protection layer adapted to cover the cosmetic product of the received godet. The protection layer is releasably attached to the housing so that the removable layer can be detached from the housing by a user.

This application claims priority to United Kingdom application no.1304633.9, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the content of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic containers, andmore particularly to a compact housing a godet for a cosmetic container.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Conventional compact cosmetic containers typically comprise one or morecosmetic products (such as lipstick, lip-gloss, foundation, eye shadow,mascara concealer or blusher for example) and a housing which enclosesand protects the cosmetic product(s) when the user does not wish to useit.

Various structures have been proposed for compact cosmetic containers ofthe above kind, some of which employ slide-type mechanisms for openingand closing the housing. Other cosmetic containers employ rotatableclam-type mechanisms for opening and closing the housing.

Such mechanisms can be simple and quick to operate, thereby providingeasy access to the cosmetic product(s) housed in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided acompact housing for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic productaccording to claim 1.

Embodiments thus provide a simple and reliable compact housing forsupporting a solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product. Theremovable protection layer may be adapted to protect the cosmeticproduct and/or restrict access to the cosmetic product. The removablelayer may therefore indicate whether or not the case and/or the cosmeticproduct has been tampered with.

Embodiments may therefore provide a housing for a cosmetic product whichincludes a disposable protection layer removably attached to the caseand adapted to cover the cosmetic product(s) held in the container. Atthe point of purchase, a user may expect the protection layer to bepresent and/or in a predetermined state. If the removable protectionlayer is found not to be as expected, it may be inferred that the caseor the cosmetic product has been tampered with between the time ofassembly and the time or purchase. Embodiments may therefore be referredto as providing a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant feature.

Alternative embodiments provide a godet platform holding a cosmeticproduct and having a disposable protection layer removably attached tothe godet platform and adapted to cover the cosmetic product held by thegodet platform. The removable layer may be adapted to protect thecosmetic product and/or restrict access to the cosmetic product held bythe godet. The removable layer may therefore indicate whether or not thegodet and/or the cosmetic product has been tampered with.

In the field of cosmetic packaging, a godet platform is typicallyotherwise referred to as a godet, a godet tray, tray or platform that isadapted to support and/or hold a cosmetic product such as a pressedpowder. Typically, a godet holding a cosmetic product is combined with ahousing for a cosmetic product so as to create a compact cosmeticcontainer that contains the cosmetic product. The godet may be providedby a first supplier, and the housing may be provided a second, differentsupplier.

Thus, a compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of theinvention may be assembled by combining a godet according to theinvention with a conventional housing. Such an embodiment may bebeneficial for a situation where the technical, manufacturing or costconstraints of the housing supplier/manufacturer are such that it ispreferable for the godet manufacturer/supplier to provide a pre-assemblygodet component which includes a removable protection layer according tothe invention.

Alternatively, a compact cosmetic container according to anotherembodiment of the invention may be assembled by combining a conventionalgodet with a housing according to the invention. Such an embodiment maybe beneficial for a situation where the technical, manufacturing or costconstraints of the godet manufacturer/supplier are such that it ispreferable for the housing manufacturer/supplier to provide apre-assembly housing component which includes a removable protectionlayer according to the invention.

It will be understood that embodiments provide a compact cosmeticcontainer with a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant feature providedby (as part of) a pre-assembly component. The container may compriseeither a pre-assembly housing component according to an embodiment ofthe invention or a pre-assembly godet component according to anembodiment of the invention.

The cosmetic product may be any facial or bodily cosmetic or beautytreatment product including lipstick, lip-gloss, eye-brow, eye-shadow,concealer, blusher, foundation, skin-treatment, compressed powder andthe like.

The removable protection layer may be at least partially transparent soas to enable a user to view the cosmetic product without removing theprotection layer. In other words, the removable protection layer may bearranged so the cosmetic product is visible to a user through theprotection layer. Embodiments may therefore enable a user to inspect acosmetic product held in a compact cosmetic container according to theinvention whilst providing protection from user accidently orintentionally touching, contacting or contaminating the cosmeticproduct.

The removable cover layer may comprise a disposable sheet of flexiblematerial that is attached to either a housing according to an embodimentof the invention or a godet according to an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments may provide a compact cosmetic case comprising: a housinghaving a lid and base portion movable between an open and closedconfiguration; a cosmetic product supported in the base portion of thehousing; and a removable protection layer covering the cosmetic productand positioned between the cosmetic product and the lid with the housingin the closed configuration, wherein the removable cover layer isadapted to uncover the cosmetic product when removed from the cosmeticcase.

The removable protection layer may be releasably adhered to the baseportion of the housing. Alternatively, the cosmetic case may furthercomprise a godet tray holding the cosmetic product, the godet tray beingsupported in the base portion of the housing, and the removableprotection layer may be releasably adehered to the godet tray.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of thedependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying diagrams, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded diagram of compact cosmetic container accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a partly-assembled compact housing for a cosmetics productaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows an assembled version of the compact housing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates the housing of FIG. 3 being combined with aconventional godet to provide a compact cosmetic container according toan embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a partly-assembled godet according to an embodiment of theinvention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a compact cosmetic container 10according to an embodiment of the invention. The container 10 comprisesa housing 12 formed with an aperture 14 for receiving a godet 16supporting a cosmetic product 17. A godet is typically otherwisereferred to in the field of cosmetic packaging as a godet tray, a trayor a platform that is adapted to support or hold a cosmetic product suchas a pressed powder.

The housing 12 is formed from a lid portion 18 and a base portion 20,and the aperture 14 is formed in the center of the base portion 20.

Here, the godet 16 is inserted into the aperture 14 from below (asindicated by the arrow labeled “A”). When inserted, the top surface ofthe cosmetic product 17 is recessed from the upper surface 22 of thebase portion 20. In other words, the assembled container 10 has ahousing 12 with a recess 24 in which the cosmetic product 17 issupported.

The mouth of the recess 24 (i.e. the aperture 14) is covered by aremovable protective layer 26 that is adhered to the upper surface 22 ofthe base portion 20 using adhesive, heat sealing or any other suitableadhering technology. The removable protective layer 26 can be detachedfrom the upper surface 22 of the housing so as to uncover the mouth ofthe recess 24 and permit access to the cosmetic product 17.

The adhering method is preferably chosen so that the protective layer 26remains adhered to the base portion 20 during transport of the container10 but can be easily removed by pulling or peeling the protective layer26 away from the base portion 20. It will therefore be appreciated thatthe protective layer may be formed from a disposable flexible materialthat is adapted to be self-adhesive or adhered to the base portion byapplication of force or heat, for example. The material for theprotective layer 26 may preferably be water resistant and adapted toprotect or restrict access to the cosmetic product 17 when it is adheredto the base portion 20.

The lid 18 and base 20 portions are rotatably connected to each other bya hinge 28. Rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion20 moves the compact case between an open and closed configuration. Inthe closed configuration, the lid 18 covers the removable protectivelayer 26 and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20. In the openconfiguration, the lid portion 18 is spaced apart from the removableprotective layer 26 and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20 soas to enable a user to access the removable protective layer 26.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid portion 18 is provided with amirror 30 on its surface that faces the removable protective layer 26and the upper surface 22 when in the closed configuration. Thus, when inthe open configuration, the mirror 30 is exposed to the user.

The embodiment described above therefore comprises what may be referredto as a tamper-resistant and/or tamper-evident seal which must beremoved (e.g. pulled or peeled) from the container to access thecosmetic product. If the label has been disturbed at purchase, then itmay be implied by a user that the container, or the cosmetic productheld therein, has been potentially tampered with or contaminated.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, there is depicted a method of assembling acompact housing 50 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The housing comprises a platform portion 52 adapted to receive a godet16 from below. The platform portion has a substantially planar uppersurface 54 with an aperture 56 formed therein. The aperture 56 ispositioned in the centre of the upper surface 54 so as to be verticallyaligned with a cosmetic product held by a godet when the godet 16 iscoupled to the platform portion. Also, in this embodiment, the aperture56 is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper surface 54 butis equal or larger in diameter than the diameter of a cosmetic productheld in the godet 16 that the platform portion 52 is adapted to bereceived.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the platform portion 52 is adapted toreceive a conventional godet (with cosmetic product held therein) sothat the godet is postioned below the upper surface 54 of the platformportion 52 with the cosmetic product of the godet 16 being aligned withthe aperture 56.

The housing 50 also comprises a lid portion 58 that is rotatablyconnected to the platform portion 52 by a hinge 60. Rotation of the lidportion 58 relative to the platform portion 52 moves the housing 50between an open and closed configuration. In the closed configuration,the lid portion 58 covers the upper surface 54 of the platform portion52 so as to prevent or restrict access to the aperture 56. In the openconfiguration, the lid portion 58 is spaced apart from the upper surface54 of the platform portion 52. Further, the lid portion 58 is providedwith a mirror 61 on its surface that faces the removable the uppersurface 54 of the platform portion 52 when in the closed configuration.Thus, when in the open configuration, the mirror 61 is exposed to theuser.

A protection layer 62 is initially provided separate from the platform52 and lid 58 portions. The protection layer 62 is formed from aflexible material that is adapted to be adhered to the upper surface 54of the platform portion 52. The protection layer 62 is larger than theaperture 56 so that it is adapted to cover the entirety of the aperture56. The protection layer 62 is also provided with a tab portion 64 thatis adapted to be gripped by a user in order to facilitate removal of theprotection layer 62 from the upper surface 54 of the platform portion52.

The protection layer 62 is applied to the upper surface 54 of theplatform portion 52 (as illustrated by the arrow labeled “P” in FIG. 2)and affixed to the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 so as tocover the aperture 56 as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 thus shows an assembledhousing 50 according to an embodiment which is adapted to receive aconventional godet. The assembled housing 50 is thus a pre-assemblycomponent suitable for assembly of a compact cosmetic container, whereinthe assembled compact cosmetic container will have a tamper-evidentand/or tamper-resistant layer 62 that provided by the pre-assemblyhousing component 50.

The method of affixing the protection layer 62 is preferably chosen sothat the protection layer 62 remains adhered to the base portion duringtransport of the housing, for example, but can be easily removed bypulling or peeling the protective layer 62 away from the upper surface54 of the platform portion 52. It will therefore be appreciated that theprotection layer 62 may be self-adhesive, provided with heat-activatedadhesive layer, or employ any other suitable means for adhering it tothe upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52.

Here, the tab portion 64 of the protection layer 62 is not adhered tothe upper surface 52 of the platform portion 52 so as to provide asection of the protection layer 62 that can be gripped by a user andused to pull or peel the protection layer 63 from the platform portion52.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 3 depicts a compact housing 50 adaptedto receive a conventional godet (holding a cosmetic product). When thegodet is received by the compact housing 50 (and secured in place sothat it cannot be removed from the housing 50), the protection layer 62covering the aperture 56 limits or prevent access to cosmetic productheld in the godet.

The housing 50 of FIG. 3 may be combined with a conventional godet asshown in FIG. 4 to provide a compact cosmetic container holding acosmetic product that has a removable protection layer covering thecosmetic product. As shown in FIG. 4, a godet 16 holding a pressedpowder product 70 is inserted into the bottom of the platform portion 52of the housing 50 of FIG. 3 as indicated by the arrows labeled “Q”. As aresult, the pressed powder product 70 is situated below the protectionlayer 62.

In order to use the cosmetic product, the protection layer 62 must beremoved, pierced or broken. Accordingly, at the point of purchase, auser can expect the removable protection layer to be present and/orintact and, if it is not, the user may infer that that the cosmeticproduct has been used, tampered with or contaminated after assembly ofthe container. Such containers may therefore be said to have atamper-evident removable seal. Also, the protection layer may provide abasic/low level of protection for the cosmetic product which helps toreduce the risk of a user accidently contacting, contaminating ordamaging the cosmetic product when simply handling or inspecting thecontainer. An elementary level of tamper resistance may therefore beprovided embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a method of assembling agodet 80 containing a cosmetic product 82 according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

The godet 80 comprises a planar tray 84 with a circular flange 86projecting upwardly therefrom to define a cup-like enclosure withinwhich the cosmetic product 82 is supported on the tray 84. The godet 80is adapted to be snap-fitted to a compact case according to anembodiment of the invention.

A sheet of transparent material 90 is initially provided separate fromthe godet 80. The transparent material 90 is flexible and is adapted tobe adhered to the lip 88 of circular flange 86 so as to cover thecosmetic product 82. The transparent material 90 is substantially equalin diameter to the circular flange 86 so that the peripheral edge of thetransparent material 90 can be aligned with the peripheral edge of thecircular flange 86.

The transparent material 90 is also provided with an upstanding tab 92that is adapted to be gripped by a user in order to facilitate removalof the transparent material 90 from the lip 88 of the circular flange 86so as to uncover the cosmetic product 82.

As illustrated by the arrow labeled “R” in FIG. 5, the transparentmaterial 90 is applied to the lip 88 of circular flange 86 (with theirperipheral edges aligned) and affixed to the lip 88 of the circularflange 86 so as to cover the cosmetic product 82. Affixing means arepreferably chosen so that the transparent material 90 remains affixed tothe lip 88 during transport of the godet 80, for example, but can beeasily removed by pulling or peeling the transparent material 90 awayfrom the lip 88. The transparent material 90 may thus be adhered to thelip 88 using a conventional heat-bonding technique or employ any othersuitable adhering means.

The tab 92 of the transparent material 90 is not adhered to the lip 88of the circular flange 86 so as to provide a section of the transparentmaterial 90 that can be gripped by a user and used to pull or peel thetransparent material 90 from the godet 80.

The embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4 thereforecomprises a godet suitable for assembly with a conventional compactcase, wherein the godet has a tamper-resistant and/or tamper-evidentseal which must be removed (e.g. pulled or peeled) from the godet toaccess the cosmetic product.

Embodiments described above comprise a clam-type compact case.Alternative embodiments may comprise an opening and closing mechanismwhich can be described as slide-to-open, slide-to-close mechanism forenabling a user to secure or deploy cosmetic products within/from thecase.

Also, the removal protection layer/material may not be transparent inalternative embodiments. For example, the removal protectionlayer/material may comprise a metal foil with heat-activated adhesivelayer provided thereon. The metal foil may be adhered to a surface of anembodiment by pressing the heat-activated adhesive layer against thesurface and applying heat to melt adhesive layer and fuse together themetal foil and the surface.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilledin the art and may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention.

1. A compact housing for assembly with a godet containing a cosmeticproduct to provide a compact cosmetic container, the housing comprising:a base and lid portion the base portion being adapted to receive thegodet; a removable protection layer adapted to cover the cosmeticproduct of the received godet, wherein the removable protection layer isreleasably adhered to the base portion so that the removable protectionlayer can be detached from the housing by a user such that in order toaccess the cosmetic product the removable protection layer must beremoved, pierced or broken so that the removal, piercing or breakage ofthe removable protection layer indicates that the cosmetic product hasbeen used, tampered with or contaminated after assembly of the compactcosmetic container.
 2. The compact housing of claim 1, wherein the baseand lid portions that are movable relative to each other to move thehousing between an open and closed configuration.
 3. The compact housingof claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises an aperture wherein theremovable protection layer covers the entirety of the aperture.
 4. Thecompact housing of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the removableprotection layer is situated between the base portion and the lidportion with the housing in the closed configuration.
 5. The compacthousing of claim 2, wherein the base and lid portions are rotatablerelative to each other, and wherein rotation of the lid portion relativeto the base portion moves the housing between an open and closedconfiguration
 6. The compact housing of claim 1, wherein the removableprotection layer comprises a disposable flexible layer of material. 7.The compact housing of claim 1, further comprising a mirror.
 8. Thecompact housing of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product comprises atleast one of: lipstick; lip-gloss; eye-brow; eye-shadow; concealer;blusher; foundation; compressed powder and skin-treatment.
 9. A compactcosmetic container comprising: a compact housing according to anypreceding claim; and a godet holding a cosmetic product, the godet beingsupported by the compact housing so that the removable protection layercovers the cosmetic product. 10.-12. (canceled)